Charities feed the working poor
Working people in Christchurch are increasingly turning to charities to feed their families amid a boom in the use of food banks due to spiralling living costs.
High rental prices and squeezed incomes have triggered a sharp rise in those forced to rely on handouts to put food on their tables, the Salvation Army says. Between July and September, it gave 1452 food parcels to families and individuals in Christchurch – a 12.2 per cent increase from the 1294 given out during the same period last year.
Across New Zealand there was a similar pattern, with 28,000 needing help with food in the year to September – up 13 per cent on the previous 12 months.
This included a 5.8 per cent increase in employed people turning to the charity’s food banks.
Major PamWaugh, the Salvation Army’s head of social services, said the increase was ‘‘alarming’’ and was proof that ‘‘having a job does not keep you out of the poverty trap’’. ‘‘People are finding that fixed hours, minimum wage and reduced hours does not always give them enough income to keep their family wellbeing at a good level.
‘‘The bigger question is around not letting poverty become the normin New Zealand – we are asking the community to let those in our country’s leadership know that it is time to tackle this issue and address the ongoing levels of poverty by saying enough is enough.’’
The Christchurch City Mission also gave out 30,000 food parcels last year, but has seen a 25 per cent rise so far in 2017.
Chief executive Matthew Mark said unaffordable housing was a major issue and the ‘‘lion’s share’’ of those in need were working parents struggling to feed their children.
‘‘I think this is a bit of an indictment on our society when we have families that have to make a choice between paying the rent, power, and putting food on the table.’’
With Christmas looming the Salvation Army has launched an appeal to help the 17,000 families across the country expected to turn to the charity for food, accommodation and assistance over the festive period.
Among those on the front line is Lieutenant Fraser Kearse, community ministries director in Aranui, one of numerous suburbs particularly in the north and east of Christchurch reporting a marked rise in food parcel handouts.
Some rely solely on the charity to feed their families, receiving parcels of pasta, bread, cereals, fruit and tinned food.
‘‘The people we see fall into two camps – those on benefits but also an increase in the number of people in employment but the cost of living is such that they are really struggling to make ends meet,’’ Kearse said.
‘‘Rents are climbing throughout the country and also in Christchurch, and it really impacts people’s ability to provide food for their families.’’
While living costs and issues such as addiction can trigger reliance on charity, the need can hit anyone at any time – as Kearse knows all too well after having to turn to the Salvation Army while he and his wife were working in Auckland.
‘‘We were literally struggling to put enough food on the table for our three kids, so we would forego food ourselves so they could have food.
‘‘Now I am on the other side of the fence and I amseeing people I can identify with, because I have lived that story as well.’’
To support the Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal, launching today, visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz or call 0800 53 00 00.